JP4152015B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can more easily confirm and understand an ultrasonic image displayed on a monitor screen.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the images displayed on the monitor screen are only an ultrasonic image such as a rectangle, a sector, and a trapezoid based on the ultrasonic scanning method and an arrow indicating the ultrasonic scanning direction.
[0003]
4 (a) and 4 (b) are diagrams showing examples thereof.
In each figure, 41 is a monitor screen, 42 is an ultrasound image, here a trapezoidal ultrasound image, 43 is an arrow image indicating the ultrasound scanning direction (hereinafter referred to as a scanning direction arrow image), and 44 is a biopsy guideline image. is there.
In the example shown in FIG. 4A, an ultrasonic image 42 and a scanning direction arrow image 43 composed of signals obtained from a living body are displayed on the monitor screen 41.
A biopsy guideline image 44 is also displayed on the monitor screen 41 when puncturing the site from which the ultrasonic image 42 is obtained. This biopsy guideline image 44 shows the direction of a puncture needle (not shown) inserted from the vicinity of the probe.
[0004]
As can be seen from FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), in the conventional apparatus, the images displayed on the monitor screen 41 are the ultrasonic image 42 and the scanning direction arrow image 43 or the biopsy guideline image 44. The positional relationship between the probe (not shown) being used and the ultrasonic image 42 displayed on the monitor screen 41 is not clearly understood.
Therefore, it is difficult for the operator to confirm and understand the ultrasonic image 42 because the operator does not know the correspondence between the ultrasonic image 42 displayed on the monitor screen 41 and the probe (not shown) being operated. In particular, when the probe is inserted into the living body and the ultrasound image 42 is obtained from the living body, the probe and the ultrasound image 42 cannot be confirmed by the operator's vision. The positional relationship between 42 and the probe was difficult to obtain.
For this reason, the grasp of the positional relationship between the probe and the ultrasonic image 42 is not inferred and is inaccurate.
[0005]
In addition, when the monitor screen 41 shown in FIG. 4A is recorded by a photograph or the like and confirmation is desired at a later date, the positional relationship between the probe and the ultrasonic image 41 has to rely on the memory of the operator, Inaccurate.
Further, when puncturing the living body while viewing the ultrasound image 42, the ultrasound image 42 and the biopsy guideline image 44 are displayed, but the probe is not displayed. The correspondence between the ultrasonic image 42 and the ultrasonic image 42 is not understood, and the grasp of the positional relationship is not inferred and is inaccurate.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional technique has a problem that the positional relationship between the probe and the ultrasonic image 41 is not accurately grasped. In addition, when puncturing the living body while viewing the ultrasonic image 42, there is a problem that the grasping of the positional relationship between the puncture needle and the ultrasonic image 41 becomes inaccurate.
[0007]
The object of the present invention is to easily and accurately grasp the positional relationship between the probe and the puncture needle and the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor screen, and to confirm and understand the ultrasonic image easily and accurately. It is another object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can puncture more safely.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object is achieved by the following (1) to (6).
(1) A probe that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a living body, a signal received by the probe is processed to generate an ultrasonic image, and the generated ultrasonic image and the A control unit for synthesizing a schematic image showing a shape corresponding to at least an ultrasonic wave transmission / reception part of a probe for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves for obtaining an ultrasonic image, and displaying the synthesized ultrasonic image and the schematic image An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a display unit configured to generate a probe schematic image representing a shape of a tip portion or an entire portion of the probe as the schematic image. Ultrasound diagnostic device.
(2) The control unit synthesizes the ultrasonic image with the probe schematic image in which the size, position, and orientation are matched with the ultrasonic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described.
(3) The probe that switches and displays the probe schematic image is an intra-body-cavity ultrasonic probe including an ultrasonic endoscope that is inserted into a living body and obtains an ultrasonic image around the probe. (2) The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to (2).
(4) In any one of (1) to (3), the control unit synthesizes an image indicating an ultrasonic operation direction and the ultrasonic image in addition to the probe schematic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to item.
(5) Any one of (1) to (4), wherein the probe schematic image is enlarged and reduced at the same magnification in accordance with switching of the display magnification of the ultrasonic image. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to 1.
(6) When using a probe to which a puncture needle is attached, a biopsy guideline image of the puncture needle whose position and orientation are matched with respect to the probe schematic image together with an ultrasonic image and the schematic image The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is displayed on a monitor screen.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram.
In FIG. 1, 11 is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to form an ultrasonic image (tomographic image) and outputs a probe schematic image, biopsy guideline image, and the like, which will be described in detail later. A probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves for obtaining a sound image. Reference numeral 13 denotes an ultrasonic wave transmission / reception part of the probe 12 that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a living body, usually a tip part of the probe. Reference numeral 14 denotes a TV monitor that displays an ultrasonic image constituted by the apparatus main body 11 and a probe schematic image and a biopsy guideline image, which will be described in detail later, by an ultrasonic wave reception signal.
[0012]
As the probe, there is also an ultrasonic endoscope 15 that is inserted into a living body and obtains an ultrasonic image around it, and 16 is an ultrasonic wave transmission / reception part (tip part). Reference numeral 17 denotes a protrusion provided in the vicinity of the tip portion 13 of the probe 12 in order to indicate the scanning direction of the ultrasonic wave. Here, the ultrasonic wave is scanned from the left side in the figure where the projections 17 of the probe 12 are not present to the right side in the figure where the projections 17 are present.
[0013]
In FIG. 2, 21 is a high voltage pulse generating circuit for generating a high voltage pulse, 22 is a transmission / reception switching circuit for switching transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves, and 23 is an amplification circuit for amplifying received ultrasonic waves (reflected waves). , 24 are detection circuits for detecting signals from the amplifier circuit 23. 25 is a digital scan converter that converts the signal from the detection circuit 25 into a television signal according to the format of the monitor screen (display screen of the TV monitor 14), and 26 is a control circuit that controls these components (21 to 25). The above constitutes the apparatus main body 11.
Reference numeral 27 denotes a group of transducers that convert high-voltage pulses from the transmission / reception switching circuit 22 into ultrasonic waves and transmit them, or convert received ultrasonic waves (reflected waves) into electrical signals and give them to the transmission / reception switching circuit 22. The piezoelectric element. The transducer group 27 is built in and arranged in the probe 12 and the tip portions 13 and 16 of the probe (ultrasound endoscope) 15. Reference numeral 14 denotes a TV monitor as in FIG. 1, which receives the TV signal from the digital scan converter 25 and displays an image.
[0014]
Here, the control circuit 26 controls the respective components (21 to 25) as described above, and has the same function as that provided in a normal ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In addition, it has the following functions. That is, it has a shape corresponding to at least the probe tip portions 13 and 16 which are ultrasonic transmission / reception portions of the probes 12 and 15 which transmit and receive ultrasonic waves for obtaining an ultrasonic image, and On the other hand, it has a function to monitor-display a probe schematic image in which the size (scale), position, and orientation of the portions 13 and 16 are matched with the ultrasonic image. In addition, it has a function of enlarging and reducing the schematic image at the same magnification according to switching of the display magnification of the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor together with the schematic image.
[0015]
Next, the operation of the apparatus of the present invention will be described.
First, after switching the transmission / reception switching circuit 22 to the transmission side, the control circuit 26 commands the high voltage pulse generation circuit 21 to generate a high voltage pulse. The generated high-pressure pulse is given to the transducer group 22 via the transmission / reception switching circuit 22, and the transducer group 22 converts the high-pressure pulse into an ultrasonic wave and transmits it to the subject (living body).
When the control circuit 26 switches the transmission / reception switching circuit 22 to the receiving side after a predetermined time, the ultrasonic reflected wave having biological information from the subject is received by the transducer group 22 and converted into an electrical signal, and then the transmission / reception switching is performed. The signal is supplied to the amplifier circuit 24 through the circuit 23. The signal amplified by the amplifier circuit 24 is detected by the detection circuit 25 and sent to the digital scan converter 25.
[0016]
The digital scan converter 25 converts the signal from the detection circuit 25 into a television signal according to the format of the monitor screen and sends it to the TV monitor 14. Thereby, the TV monitor 14 displays an image (ultrasonic image) based on biological information from the subject, and predetermined symbols and numbers. In the apparatus of the present invention, the TV monitor 14 synthesizes these ultrasonic images, symbols, and numbers to form a shape corresponding to at least the tip portions 13 and 16 of the probes 12 and 15, here the probe 12 as a whole. The probe has a shape of the tip portion 16 of the probe 15, and a probe schematic image in which the size (scale), position, and orientation of the probes 12, 15 are matched to the ultrasonic image ( The probe overall shape schematic image and probe tip partial shape schematic image) are displayed.
Basically, the schematic image is as close as possible to the overall shape of the probes 12 and 15 used. For example, if the probe 15 is long and cannot display a schematic image of the entire shape of the probe, a schematic image of the tip portion shape is used. The display position of the schematic image on the monitor screen is any one of the upper part, the lower part, and the side part aligned with the position of the ultrasonic image displayed as described above. In addition to the schematic image, information that can understand the scanning direction of the ultrasonic waves, here, an image corresponding to the protrusion 17 may be displayed.
[0017]
When a probe (not shown) with a puncture needle attached is used, the position and orientation of the probe with respect to a schematic image of the ultrasonic transmission / reception part (probe tip part) of the probe is desired. A biopsy guideline image for the puncture needle combined with may be displayed on the monitor screen together with the ultrasonic image and the schematic image.
[0018]
FIG. 3 illustrates various monitor screen display images in the apparatus of the present invention. In each figure, 31 is a schematic image of the entire shape of the probe 12 (see FIG. 1, the same applies hereinafter), and 32 is a projection 17 (FIG. 1 (referred to the same hereinafter) (protrusion image), 33 is a schematic image of the tip portion shape of the probe 15 (see FIG. 1, the same applies hereinafter), and 34 is a schematic image of the tip portion shape of the probe 12. , 35 are schematic images of the tip portion shape of the probe 12, and 36 is an image corresponding to the puncture needle support (puncture needle support tool image). Reference numerals 41, 42 and 44 denote a monitor screen, an ultrasonic image and a biopsy guideline image as in FIG.
[0019]
That is,
FIG. 3A shows a probe schematic image being operated, here a schematic image 31 of the overall shape of the probe 12, at the upper position aligned with the position of the ultrasonic image 42 displayed on the monitor screen 41. It is a composite display. A projection image 32 representing the ultrasonic scanning direction is also displayed in the overall shape schematic image 31.
FIG. 6B shows an upper portion of the tip portion shape schematic image 33 of the probe 15 aligned with the position of the ultrasonic image 42 when the ultrasonic image 42 obtained by the probe 15 is displayed on the monitor screen 41. It is a composite display at the position.
FIG. 6C is a composite image of the tip portion shape schematic image 34 of the probe 12 being operated at the upper position aligned with the position of the ultrasonic image 42 displayed on the monitor screen 41. At this time, a projection image 32 representing the ultrasonic scanning direction is also synthesized and displayed.
FIG. 4D shows an example in which the overall shape schematic image 31 of the probe 12 is displayed at an arbitrary position on the monitor screen 41 as well as the position corresponding to the ultrasonic image 42.
(E) shows a puncture needle support tool image 36 and a biopsy guideline image 44, a tip portion shape schematic image of the probe 12, when puncturing while observing the ultrasonic image 42 displayed on the monitor screen 41. 35 and the ultrasonic image 42 are combined and displayed. The biopsy guideline image 44 extends from the puncture needle support (puncture needle support image 36) attached to the probe 12, and is indicated by a dotted line here.
[0020]
(F) shows a case where a long probe 15 to which a puncture needle is attached without using a puncture needle support is used, and puncture is performed while observing an ultrasonic image 42 displayed on the monitor screen 41. It is an example of a display when performing. In this case, the tip portion shape schematic image 33 of the probe 15 being operated is synthesized and displayed at the upper position aligned with the position of the ultrasonic image 42 displayed on the monitor screen 41, and the biopsy guideline image 44 is also displayed. And composite display.
FIG. 5G illustrates the case where the tip portion shape schematic image 33 and the biopsy guideline image 44 are rotated in accordance with the rotation of the ultrasonic image 42 in the example of FIG.
3A to 3G, the images 31 to 36 displayed on the monitor screen 41 are the same according to the switching of the display magnification of the ultrasonic image 42 displayed on the same monitor screen 41. Zoomed in and out at a magnification.
[0021]
In the apparatus of the present invention described above, together with the ultrasonic image 42 displayed on the monitor screen 41, a schematic image of the probes 12 and 16 being operated at that time (probe overall shape schematic image 31, probe tip partial shape) The schematic images 33 to 35), the biopsy guideline image 44, and the like are displayed simultaneously with the ultrasonic image 42 and its size, position, and orientation. Therefore, the operator can easily and accurately grasp the positional relationship between the actual probe 12 or puncture needle (not shown) and the ultrasonic image 42 on the monitor screen 42. This effect can be obtained in the same way even after recording the pictures 31, 33 to 35, 42 with photographs of the simultaneous display screen, and the positional relationship between the probe 12, 16, etc. and the ultrasonic image 41 can be obtained. There is no need to rely on the operator's memory.
[0022]
Note that the projection images 32 other than the schematic images of the probes 12 and 16 (probe entire shape schematic image 31, probe tip partial shape schematic images 33 to 35), puncture needle support tool image 36, and biopsy guideline image 44. May selectively enable simultaneous display with the ultrasound image 42. Also, the simultaneous display of the schematic images of the probes 12 and 16 with the ultrasonic image 42 may be turned on and off (displayed or not displayed) when desired.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the positional relationship between the probe or puncture needle and the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor screen can be easily and accurately grasped, and the ultrasonic image can be easily confirmed and understood. There is an effect that it can be performed accurately and puncture can be performed more safely.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is also a block diagram.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a monitor screen display image in the device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a monitor screen display image in a conventional apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, 12 ... Probe, 13, 16 ... Probe tip part (ultrasonic wave transmission / reception part), 14 ... TV monitor, 15 ... Ultrasound endoscope (probe), 21 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... High voltage pulse generation circuit, 22 ... Transmission / reception switching circuit, 23 ... Amplification circuit, 24 ... Detection circuit, 25 ... Digital scan converter, 26 ... Control circuit, 27 ... Vibrator group, 31 ... Model of probe (probe) Whole schematic image), 32 ... Projection image, 33 to 35 ... Probe schematic image (probe tip partial schematic image), 36 ... Puncture needle support tool image, 41 ... Monitor screen, 42 ... Ultrasonic image, 43 ... Ultrasonic scanning direction arrow image, 44 ... biopsy guideline image.

Claims (6)

A probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a living body;
A signal received by the probe is processed to generate an ultrasound image, and at least the probe for transmitting and receiving the generated ultrasound image and ultrasound for obtaining the ultrasound image is transmitted. A control unit that synthesizes a schematic image showing a shape corresponding to a sound wave transmission / reception part;
In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising the display unit that displays the synthesized ultrasonic image and the schematic image,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the control unit generates a probe schematic image that schematically represents a shape of a tip portion or an entire portion of the probe as the schematic image.   2. The ultrasound according to claim 1, wherein the control unit synthesizes the ultrasonic image with the probe schematic image in which a size, a position, and an orientation are combined with the ultrasonic image. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.   The probe that switches and displays the probe schematic image is an intra-body-cavity ultrasonic probe including an ultrasonic endoscope that is inserted into a living body and obtains an ultrasonic image around the probe. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2.   4. The ultrasonic according to claim 1, wherein the control unit synthesizes an image indicating an ultrasonic operation direction and the ultrasonic image in addition to the probe schematic image. 5. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.   5. The ultrasound according to claim 1, wherein the probe schematic image is enlarged and reduced at the same magnification according to switching of a display magnification of the ultrasound image. 6. Diagnostic device. When using a probe needle is attached, position with respect to the probe schematic image, the biopsy guidelines image for the biopsy needle orientation is adapted to the monitor screen with the ultrasonic image and the schematic image The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is displayed.

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